Description American Classic 420's are ideal for racing, training, flat or hilly courses, triathlons and they are light enough for climbing.
420's are the best do-it-all wheel set on the market. They are built ...
Summary: I commute & ride for fitness. Occasional Sunday morning 50-100 mi rides w/local clubs, do +/- 60 miles every morning. I do mostly flats around here on morning rides, mild hills. I do fast/constant cadence, enjoy a little speed.
My criteria for this set was:
a) bullet proof strength: I hit crevices/rocks/pot holes... every manner of common road humps. I wanted wheels I don't have to true often.
b) really, really good spinners. For me, nothing (other then a) maximizes pleasure for my morning rides more than a very effortless, smooth spinning hubs. It's a difference between 40 & 60 miles for same time/effort in early mornings.
I love these wheels. I agree they're a little flexy on hard climbs, but they've met my criteria in spades. I've had 6 quality wheelsets now (no ceramic): none spin better then these 420s.
I've hit everything one encounters through city streets and these wheels are still perfectly true after +/- 1800 miles.
I love 'em, and I think they're under appreciated.
Strengths: Very strong/robust, excellent spin up.
Weaknesses: Bearings do require bit more sensitive adjustment than comparable wheels, but I service everything on my bike about every 2 weeks anyway. So no big deal on that.
The braking surface is a bit narrow, as others have said. I have Campy Centaur skeleton brakes w/Campy pads & keep 'em well adjusted. Braking is excellent... much better than my DA on racing bike.
Similar Products Used: Rolf Vector/Rolf Vector Comp
Bontrager Race Lite junk
Mavic Ksyrium SL
DA
AM Hurricane
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Bike Setup: Carbon Trek OCLV, Ultegra 10spd, Ksyrium ES wheels.
Summary: If you want a set of Aero rims for the bling factor to look nice on your bike, but dont want to drop $2000+ for a set of Zipps or similar top end gear, then these Am Classics fit the bill. Relatively lightweight (1500g) about 35mm Aero profile for sprint speed, they are a very good all round wheel set.
Weakness' are hub bearings though, they wear fast and need serious greasing when new (v light grease from factory)
Good solid wheels.
Strengths: weight to aero ratio, price, cheap propper aero rim (just)
Weaknesses: - very narrow rim brake surface makes linig up the pads a bit more time consuming than normal.
- minimal grease in hubs wears bearings FAST!
Similar Products Used: Kyserium ES, Elite.
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Summary: I know I said rec rider but I have been riding/racing for the past 13 years, just not racing the past 3. 09 420's in White. Look great and really make the bike pop. Overall, they are quite light for what they are, spin fast and ride smooth. Been on them for about 2 months now. Feel maybe 1-2mm of movement in rear hub already. Thought this was addressed by AC post 08 but not sure at this point.
Strengths: Light, fast spinning, smooth, standard bladed spokes. Great for the rec rider or training rides.
Weaknesses: Flexy and have to keep an eye on rear bearings. White is hard to keep clean! Any puddles or lube on the chain seems to show up on these wheels. Weigh 170#, can make rims flex and touch brake pads in a sprint or hard out of seat climb!
Similar Products Used: Mavic Kserium Prem. SL's. Slightly lighter but stiffer.
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Summary: These wheels came on my Scott CR1 with Dura-ace 10 which I purchased on ebay. I have about 10000kms on them now. The rear bearings are now sloppy and need replacing. They have always been fairly flexy when sprinting or out of the saddle climbing. They do spin up fast in a sprint however and climb reasonably well. They are quite light as well as being aero and hold speed well. 1 problem I have had is the cassette turning on the free hub and gouging the freehub body. The freehub seems a little smaller than it should so the cassette sits loosely on until tightened down.
Strengths: light, fast, spin up quick, looks
Weaknesses: Flexy. Cassette doesn't fit properly on freehub
Similar Products Used: Easton Circuit, Bontrager race X, Reynolds Alta Race, Rolf Vector Comp
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